Football downs marker

ABSTRACT

An indicator of football downs used at the line of scrimmage comprises a rotatable disc and a three-quarter circle cover. The disc is marked on both sides with the four downs, one in each quadrant. One handle is turned to expose the down in the open quadrant of the cover; another handle fixed to the cover is used for holding the indicator for display at the side line.

United States Patent 1191 Vargo Mar. 26, 1974 FOOTBALL DOWNS MARKER 2,482,876 9/1949 Schall 40/125 1 2,706,352 4/1955 [76] Invenwr- James Franc 3' 5125 Pocono 2,851,802 9/1958 Archambaultetal. 40/70 R Dr., Dayton, OhlO 45424 2,881,543 4/1959 DeRouen 40/125 [22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1973 1 App o 3 3 Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi 57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 116/133, 40/70 R, 40/125 J l 511 Int. Cl. G09f 9/00 "ldlcamr fwtba" dwns used at the 581 Field of Search 116/120 131 132 133- scrimmage comprises a matable disc and a three 40 125 J 70 R 7 145 R.33/289. 2 73 55 quarter circle cover. The diSC iS marked 011 both sides with the four downs, one in each quadrant. One han- [56] References Cited dle is turned to expose the down in the open quadrant UNITED STATES PATENTS of the cover; another handle fixed to the cover is used 1 412 043 M1922 C f d 40,70 R for holding the indicator for display at the side line.

raw or 1,723,390 8/1929 Tingley 116/131 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTED MRZB I974 FIG. 2

FOOTBALL DOWNS MARKER SPECIFICATION This invention relates to accessories to the game of football, more particularly to downs markers or indicators.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a novel downs marker having advantages over previous downs markers known in the art, in that the present invention is rapid and reliable in use at a relatively low cost. A circular enclosure, having a handle, has the top quadrant cut out. A spindle wheel inside the enclosure has the numbers one through four filling each quadrant and on both sides of the wheel. A handle through the housing and attached to the wheel has detents for each down position.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view, partly broken away;

FIG. 2 is a plan section view taken on the line 22 in FIG. 1.

Referring to the figures, the marker comprises a stationary assembly 11 and a moveable assembly 12.

Assembly 1 1 comprises a front cover 13, a rear cover 14, both covers shaped to have a recess for a handle 16, and assembly screws 17.

Moveable assembly 12 comprises a disc 18, a spring 19, a rear cap that receives a mounting screw 21, and a handle 22 that receives a mounting screw 23.

Front cover 13 is cut out at the top quadrant as at 13a. A pattern of four detents 13b are moulded in a circle around a central hole in cover 13. Further, cover 13 is moulded with a plurality of holes 13c for receiving assembly screws.

Rear cover 14 has a cut-out 14a similar to and in alignment with cut-out 13a. A set of holes 14a are tapped in alignment with holes 13c.

Disc 18 extends into a bearing area 18a that has centrally tapped hole 18b. On the front side of disc 18 in alignment with 18a, the moulded material extends into a bearing portion 18c that is provided with a tapped hole 18d. A key cut-out l8e is also provided in front bearing 18c. Finally, disc 18 is boldly marked with downs numbers 18f, each number being duplicated on the rear face. Handle 22 extends into a lever 22a. For transmitting movement to disc 18, handle 22 is pro vided with a key 22b that fits into keyed opening 182. Finally, four detent buttons 220 are moulded into the handle to line up with detent 13b.

It will become evident from the foregoing that movement from one down to another is not strained because of the yield in spring 19, yet when the detents are engaged at each position, the numeral indication will be positive against any vibration or rough handling. Numerals 18f may be applied in any manner on the surface or embedded in the moulded disc 18. Any contrasting coloring may be used between the numerals and the background, preferably the luminous types of paint.

What I claim is:

l. A football downs marker, comprising in combination, a rotatable disc spindled in an enclosure that is open in one quandrant, said disc being marked in each quandrant so as to show a downs number, said enclosure having a handle passing therethrough for turning said disc to each indicating position, said enclosure extending into a handle for holding the marker aloft, detent means being provided between said disc and said enclosure for the purpose of obtaining accurate and positive positioning in each said quadrant, said disc extending axially into a rear and front bearing, said enclosure comprising a front and rear matching set of covers attachable together by screws, said rear bearing projecting through an opening in said rear cover and being provided thereon a rear cap, said front bearing extend ing through said front cover and having a handle secured thereon, said handle being keyed to said front bearing, said detent means being provided between said front cover and said handle, a spring means comprising a compression coil spring on each side of said disc, each said spring bearing between a side of said disc and a side of one said covers so that said disc is spaced from said covers, said disc being axially displaced against one said spring when said disc disengages with any one of said detent means, said detent means comprising a protrusion integral with said cap which is selectively engageable within one of a series of depressions on one of said covers. 

1. A football downs marker, comprising in combination, a rotatable disc spindled in an enclosure that is oPen in one quandrant, said disc being marked in each quandrant so as to show a downs number, said enclosure having a handle passing therethrough for turning said disc to each indicating position, said enclosure extending into a handle for holding the marker aloft, detent means being provided between said disc and said enclosure for the purpose of obtaining accurate and positive positioning in each said quadrant, said disc extending axially into a rear and front bearing, said enclosure comprising a front and rear matching set of covers attachable together by screws, said rear bearing projecting through an opening in said rear cover and being provided thereon a rear cap, said front bearing extending through said front cover and having a handle secured thereon, said handle being keyed to said front bearing, said detent means being provided between said front cover and said handle, a spring means comprising a compression coil spring on each side of said disc, each said spring bearing between a side of said disc and a side of one said covers so that said disc is spaced from said covers, said disc being axially displaced against one said spring when said disc disengages with any one of said detent means, said detent means comprising a protrusion integral with said cap which is selectively engageable within one of a series of depressions on one of said covers. 